Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

1. Los Angeles Zoo History

• When did the Los Angeles Zoo officially open?
  • In November 1966, the Los Angeles Zoo was officially opened to the public.
• What accreditation does the Los Angeles Zoo have?
  • The zoo has become an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
• What are some notable breeding achievements at the zoo?
  • The dedicated staff have bred and raised a wide variety of endangered animals in captivity, including a black rhinoceros and the first gorilla baby delivered by Caesarian section.
• How did the zoo contribute to the conservation of the Condor?
  • In the 1980s, the zoo helped bring the majestic Condor back from the brink of extinction.
• Did the Los Angeles Zoo ever house pandas?
  • Yes, the zoo housed the famous Chinese Pandas, Yun Yun and Ying Xin, for three months during the Summer Olympics.
• What exhibit inspired Disney’s The Lion King?
  • A donation in 1988 allowed the zoo to open a new Meerkat exhibit, which later provided inspiration for the creators of The Lion King when developing Timon.
• What was the zoo’s focus in the 1990s?
  • The main focus was to gather volunteers and develop animal enrichment programs, which resulted in one of the largest volunteer enrichment programs in the country.
• When did the Los Angeles Zoo change its name?
  • In 2002, the zoo was accredited by the American Association of Museums and renamed to its current name: The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
• What major exhibits opened after 2002?
  • Several exciting animal exhibits were introduced, including an elephant exhibit and the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel in 2011, featuring 64 hand-carved wooden figures.
• What is the LAIR exhibit?
  • In 2012, the zoo opened LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles), featuring over 60 species and serving as a base for the zoo's reptile and amphibian conservation program.
• What is the Rainforest of the Americas exhibit?
  • Opened in 2014, the Rainforest of the Americas exhibit was the final step in the zoo’s master construction improvement plan. The last portion, a new exhibit for the jaguars, was estimated to be completed in 2015.
• How big is the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens today?
  • In just 50 years, the zoo has grown to more than 133 acres, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, successful breeding programs, and nationally recognized conservation programs.
• Why should people visit the Los Angeles Zoo?
  • The zoo's dedication to the enrichment of wildlife and fostering human interaction with nature makes it a must-see destination.

2. Los Angeles Zoo Exhibits & Attractions

• How are the animals categorized at the Zoo?
  • The animals are sorted into five categories: Amphibians, Reptiles, Invertebrates, Birds, and Mammals.
• What is unique about the Amphibian collection?
  • The Amphibian collection includes rare and exotic creatures. One of the strangest is the axolotl, a critically endangered breed of salamander with spots, frog-like webbed feet, and bushy gills.
• What is special about the Golden Poison Dart Frog?
  • The Golden Poison Dart Frog is one of the most toxic animals in the world. Its bright yellow color warns predators, and it secretes a neurotoxin that can be fatal to a human in amounts as small as 200 micrograms. It is native to the Pacific Coast of Colombia, where its greatest threat is deforestation.
• What amphibians can be found at the Zoo?
  • Visitors can see a variety of salamanders, toads, frogs, and other amphibians from both freshwater and saltwater habitats.
• What makes the Reptile collection exciting?
  • The Zoo's reptile collection is home to dangerous predators like the American Alligator and the Komodo Dragon, as well as gentle creatures like the Tortoise.
• What types of reptiles can be found at the Zoo?
  • The collection includes various snakes, lizards, turtles, alligators, and dragons, giving visitors a sense of the prehistoric world.
• What is unique about the Emerald Tree Boa?
  • The Emerald Tree Boa is a bright green snake native to wet lowland rainforests. What sets it apart is that it is ovoviviparous, meaning it hatches its eggs inside its body before giving birth.
• What conservation efforts are tied to the Reptile collection?
  • This reptile collection is part of a nationally recognized conservation program, making it a must-see for visitors.
• What types of invertebrates can be found at the Zoo?
  • The collection includes a variety of spiders, beetles, bugs, and scorpions.
• What makes the Bird collection special?
  • The Bird collection is known for its beautiful and rare birds, including endangered species such as the Condor, American Bald Eagle, and Red-tailed Hawk.
• What are some notable birds at the Zoo?
  • The Zoo houses majestic birds like the toucan, peacock, scarlet macaw, and owls.
• What is included in the Mammals collection?
  • The Mammals collection is the most popular and takes up the majority of the Zoo's exhibition space. Visitors can see favorites like giraffes, elephants, tigers, monkeys, and bears.
• How many exhibits does the Los Angeles Zoo have?
  • The Zoo has a seemingly endless number of exhibits, making it difficult to see them all in just one visit.

3. Los Angeles Zoo Gardens

• How many plants are at the Los Angeles Zoo?
  • The Zoo is home to more than 7,400 plants, representing 800 different species.
• How are the plants at the Zoo categorized?
  • The plants are divided into three main groups: those that fill out the landscape, those that provide food for the animals, and special gardens that highlight strange and unique plants.
• Do the gardens serve any purpose beyond aesthetics?
  • Yes, the gardens maintain endangered plants and also serve as a habitat for the animals. Many plants provide shelter, food, and comfort for the animals residing at the Zoo.
• Why does the Zoo emphasize botanical conservation?
  • The staff urges visitors to appreciate the botanical beauty around the habitats, as preserving natural environments is key to animal survival and happiness.
• What educational programs does the Zoo offer?
  • The Zoo has an entire division dedicated to education and wildlife enrichment. Programs are designed to be accessible, diverse, and engaging to reach as many community members as possible.
• What types of education programs are available?
  • The Zoo offers a variety of programs including overnight zoo camps, scout programs, adult programs, field study programs, and educational opportunities for teachers and students.
• How does the Zoo support underprivileged students?
  • Through generous community donations, each year more than:
    • 3,000 underprivileged students receive fully paid field trips.
    • 100 children are awarded free summer camps.
    • 8 high school students receive scholarships for conservation-based field study programs.
    • The outreach program educates over 20,000 people about endangered species and wildlife conservation.
• What are the Zoo’s most successful conservation efforts?
  • The Zoo has played a major role in two of the most successful conservation programs in history:
    • The California Condor Recovery Plan
    • The Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Plan

Planning your Visit

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens has a wide variety of ticket combinations, group visit discounts, and even military discounts. There is also free parking, numerous fine dining and shopping locations nearby.

5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027, Phone: 323-644-4200, website, Map